AKP to submit constitution change after deal struck with MHP

The constitutional amendment package introducing a shift to a presidential system will be submitted to Turkey's parliament on Dec. 10, Prime Minister Binali Yıldırım has said, calling for the public to vote in favor of the change "for a stronger democracy." 

"With this proposal, Turkey and the Turkish people will live a new period that introduces strong parliament and strong executive for a stronger democracy and ends the era of coalitions … We will submit our proposal to parliament tomorrow," Yıldırım said in an address at a rally in the northwestern town of Zonguldak on Dec. 9. 
His statement came after officials from the ruling Justice and Development Party (AKP) and the Nationalist Movement Party (MHP) concluded weeks-long efforts on the blueprint late on Dec. 8. 

Officials from the two parties were trying to finalize the preamble of the constitutional changes through Dec. 9. Representatives from the AKP and the MHP, Abdurrahim Gül and Mehmet Parsak, are expected to make a joint statement on Dec. 10 before the draft is submitted to parliament. The AKP had already collected the signatures of its 315 lawmakers by late Dec. 8 in order to submit the draft to parliament without delay. 

Erdoğan: No delay 

Speaking to reporters in Istanbul on Dec. 9, President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan said the changes, contained in a package of around 20 articles, would most likely have to be passed via referendum. 

"The chairmen [of the AKP and the MHP] have come to an agreement. This process will follow with works at the commission and [with a vote] at the General Assembly … We will make our deliberations after [it is passed at parliament] and will then take it to the people [in a referendum]," Erdoğan said.

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